THERE'S NO chat-show host like an old chat-show host. Michael Parkinson, brought back to the BBC after two decades, has been nominated for a Bafta television award for his show. He might have to present it to himself, as he is hosting the ceremony next month.

FORTY YEARS after the British Academy of Film decided to open its doors to that upstart medium, television, it has made a second magnanimous concession. The board of the academy has voted to allow interactive Web- heads (that is, those people working in new media) to be admitted as members.

Mike Leigh's comedy Secrets and Lies made up for its failure in the Oscars by scooping three Bafta awards last night, including best actress for Brenda Blethyn. The English Patient also won three awards, though it had been nominated for 13.

Hot on the heels of his triumph at the Oscars, film director Anthony Minghella is set to step back into the limelight at tonight's Bafta awards ceremony with The English Patient tipped to sweep all before it.

The creative worlds of television and film have become more and more business-like in their approach, as budgets have been squeezed and potential box office profits have been the deciding factor as to whether a project ever sees the light of day. Reflecting this trend, The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has joined forces with Expotel.

The English Patient last night picked up three craft awards from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts to add to its haul of nine Oscars. The film won prizes for best cinematography, best editing and the Anthony Asquith Award for achievement in film music at a Bafta ceremony at London's Hilton Hotel.